Bunge commits to building new soy processing facility

Dec 16, 2022

The soy protein concentrate facility will be in Morristown, Ind.

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

An ag commodities company is building a new soybean processing facility in the U.S. Midwest.

On Dec. 15, Bunge announced it is investing about $550 million to build a soy protein concentrate and textured soy protein concentrate facility next to its soybean processing plant in Morristown, Ind.

Soy protein concentrate is made by removing carbohydrates from soybeans. It’s used in meat and poultry products to increase water and fat retention, and to improve nutritional values.

And textured soy protein concentrates can be used to reproduce the appearance and texture of meat fibers and can be used to extend or replace meat or fish.

Construction on the new facility is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2023 and be commissioned by the middle of 2025.

Once up and running, the new plant will create 70 full-time jobs and process upwards of 4.5 million bushels of soybeans annually.

“As the world’s largest oilseed processor, plant proteins are a natural extension of our industry leading oils, fats, and specialty ingredient portfolio. This new facility is an important step in our long-term strategy to strengthen our capabilities in downstream higher value food ingredients,” Greg Heckman, CEO of Bunge, said in a statement.

In addition to the new facility announcement, Bunge revealed it recently invested $10 million into its Creative Solutions Center in Missouri.

Bunge opened the Creative Solutions Center in 2018 to offer customers full value chain expertise.

The 40,000-square-foot facility includes labs and a scaled-down version of an oil plant that can make shortenings, oils and other items used by food companies, bakeries and restaurants

Video: Agriculture Secretary Rollins Speaks at American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim

One of the highlights at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim, California, was an address by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. During her remarks, she thanked America’s farmers and ranchers and said the Trump Administration is fully aware that food security is national security.

She also acknowledged the challenging times in Farm Country with low commodity prices and high input costs and said that’s why the President stepped in to help with the recent Bridge Assistance Program.

Montana Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Scott Kulbeck says that Farm Bureau members are appreciative of the help and looks forward to working with the American Farm Bureau Federation and its presence in Washington, DC to keep farmers and ranchers in business.

Secretary Rollins said the Trump Administration is also committed to helping ranchers build back America’s cattle herd while also providing more high-quality U.S. beef at the meat case for consumers.

And she also announced more assistance for specialty crop producers who only received a fraction of the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA).

It’s important to note that producers who qualify for Farmer Bridge Assistance can expect the Farm Service Agency to start issuing payments in late February. For more information, farmers and ranchers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center.